The latest round of qualifying matches for the FIFA World Cup 2026 has confirmed several new entrants, with Qatar, Cape Verde and South Africa grabbing global attention as the newest nations to secure their spots in next year’s expanded tournament.

Qatar made history last week by qualifying for the first time through the standard qualification route, defeating the United Arab Emirates to book their place. The 2022 World Cup hosts join an increasingly diverse list of confirmed nations as the global picture takes shape ahead of the 48-team event.

Africa’s qualifying campaign produced high drama, with South Africa sealing top spot in their group while continental heavyweights Nigeria were forced into the playoffs. Cape Verde also made headlines by qualifying for their first-ever World Cup, marking a milestone in the island nation’s football history.

So far, 31 nations have booked their tickets for the 2026 tournament, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Confirmed teams by region

1. Hosts: Canada, Mexico, United States
2. Asia: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan
3. Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia
4. Europe: England
5. Oceania: New Zealand
6. South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay

Still in contention

Several teams are battling for the remaining qualification and intercontinental playoff spots:

Africa: Cameroon, DR Congo, Gabon and Nigeria will fight for the final intercontinental berth in mid-November.

Asia: The UAE and Iraq will play over two legs for the last AFC playoff spot on November 13 and 18.

Europe: 53 teams remain in contention for 16 qualification places, with the final group matches ending on November 18.

North & Central America: Twelve teams — including Jamaica, Panama, Costa Rica and Honduras — are competing for three direct spots and one playoff place.

Oceania: New Caledonia have reached the intercontinental playoffs.

South America: Bolivia will represent the continent in the playoff stage.

Major teams eliminated

Former World Cup semifinalists Peru and Chile have missed out in South America, alongside Venezuela. In Asia, China, Bahrain, Indonesia and Palestine fell short, while Mali, Libya and Namibia exited the African race.

Road ahead

The final list of 48 teams will be confirmed by March 31, 2026, after the conclusion of the European and intercontinental playoff rounds.

The official World Cup draw will take place on December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., an event announced by U.S. President Donald Trump alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off in Mexico City on June 11 and concludes with the final in New Jersey on July 19, promising the largest and most globally representative tournament in football history.

Tensions continue to simmer between India and Pakistan cricket boards following the Asia Cup 2025 final, with a new controversy emerging over the winner’s trophy.

According to multiple reports, India has still not received the Asia Cup trophy after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi allegedly insisted that Team India collect it directly from the ACC headquarters, which are in Dubai.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly rejected the “unusual” demand, with strong backing from the Sri Lanka and Afghanistan cricket boards.

Trophy dispute deepens after Dubai final

The standoff emerged on the night of the final in Dubai, when Indian players declined to receive the trophy from Naqvi due to heightened diplomatic tensions between the two countries. The refusal came amid strained relations following the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year and subsequent clashes during the Asia Cup.

Frustrated by the boycott, Naqvi reportedly withheld the trophy and placed it under lock and key at the ACC headquarters.

BCCI pushes for official handover

Sources say the BCCI has now written a formal letter to the ACC demanding that the trophy be handed over to India. The ACC is reportedly considering holding a formal ceremony in November to officially present the trophy to the Indian team.

A report by PTI confirms that both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have sided with the BCCI, rejecting Naqvi’s demand that India collect the trophy from the ACC office.

The matter is expected to be raised at the upcoming ICC meeting in November, where the BCCI will seek formal resolution to what it calls an “unprecedented and unnecessary” dispute.

India beat Pakistan in all three matches of the Asia Cup. Each time, the Indian players refused to shake hands with the Pakistan players.

India T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, dedicated the first match win to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir—a statement that resulted in a 30 percent match fee fine by the ICC.

Pakistan paceman Haris Rauf was also fined 30 percent of his fee for displaying political slogans during the second match, also held in Dubai on September 21.

However, opener Sahibzada Farhan was let off for his gun-firing celebration with the bat after reaching a half-century in the same game.

President Donald Trump confirmed Sunday that the White House will host a UFC event on June 14, 2026 — coinciding with his 80th birthday — in what would be an unprecedented fusion of politics and professional fighting.

Speaking at Naval Station Norfolk during a ceremony marking the upcoming 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy, Trump revealed the date for the previously announced event, which he had first teased in July without offering specifics.

The event will be held on the South Lawn of the White House, and according to UFC President Dana White, the organization will spend $700,000 to replace the lawn’s grass after the spectacle. White disclosed the cost in an interview with the Sports Business Journal earlier this week.

Trump’s long-standing relationship with White stretches back to the early 2000s, when Trump’s Atlantic City venue, the Trump Taj Mahal, was among the few willing to host UFC events before the sport’s mainstream rise.

Since taking office, Trump has continued to attend UFC bouts, most recently appearing at a New Jersey fight in June.

He has frequently praised the sport and its fan base, many of whom align with his political following.

The planned White House UFC event has drawn intrigue and scrutiny, marking a rare — if not unprecedented — use of the presidential residence for a commercial sports promotion. TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of UFC, has not yet commented on the announcement.

The June 14 event is expected to be one of the most high-profile UFC showcases of 2026, with additional details — including the fight card and how the event will be broadcast or attended — still to be announced.